EdisonReport has learned that LIGHTFAIR management has negotiated and signed the agreement for the 2019 show and we expect the announcement shortly. Historically, LIGHTFAIR has made their venue announcements in January and the location has alternated between the East (Philadelphia, New York, and the West (Las Vegas, San Diego).
Being in the middle of the country this year is an excellent decision, but it does put LIGHTFAIR in a bit of a quandary. Do they continue their rotation and head West in 2019? We think not, because the East show is the most financially lucrative and reports the best numbers. So if LIGHTFAIR is in Philadelphia or New York in 2019, it will likely return West in 2020–four years after their successful San Diego show.
Not only is LIGHTFAIR good for our industry, it is extremely profitable for the convention centers and cities that host the show; it is highly coveted.
The exhibitors we polled are pretty unanimous in that they prefer the costs and convenience of Philadelphia, but the audience of New York. We do hear complaints from exhibitors that New York specifiers who do attend the Philadelphia show will take a morning train up and an evening train back allowing for about four hours at the show. Also, the New York lighting design community does have choices in that many attend LEDucation as well as the various New York Rep shows that occur every two years, usually in the off year when LIGHTFAIR is in the West.
Past shows, including 2018, are listed below:
LFI 2018 – LIGHTFAIR International | 5/6/2018 – 5/10/2018 | Chicago IL, United States |
LFI 2017 – LIGHTFAIR International | 5/7/2017 – 5/11/2017 | Philadelphia PA, United States |
LFI 2016 – LIGHTFAIR International | 4/26/2016 – 4/28/2016 | San Diego CA, United States |
LFI 2015 – LIGHTFAIR International | 5/3/2015 – 5/7/2015 | New York, United States |
LFI 2014 – LIGHTFAIR International | 6/1/2014 – 6/5/2014 | Las Vegas NV, United States |
LFI 2013 – LIGHTFAIR International | 4/23/2013 – 4/25/2013 | Philadelphia PA, United States |
LFI 2012 – LIGHTFAIR International | 5/9/2012 – 5/11/2012 | Las Vegas NV, United States |
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